The Preds return home to host the Winnipeg Jets, as well as host their annual Pride game, and hoping to clinch a spot in the playoffs in the process. The Jets, meanwhile, are fighting for playoff seeding, after a six-game losing streak sent them tumbling and a three-game winning streak brought them right back into striking distance.
They’ve gotten extraordinary goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck, who’s an obvious frontrunner for this year’s Vezina trophy–it would be the second of his career–and also from backup Laurent Broissoit, who’s been at least as good though in many fewer starts. When paired with an above-average even-strength defense, the Jets have given up very little.
Offensively they’ve had more struggles, with a weak power play and some difficulties converting on their shots, but they still have players who can hurt the opposition. Kyle Connor has 31 goals in 61 games, Josh Morrissey has an impressive 54 assists, and Mark Scheifele leads the team with 66 points. Nikolaj Ehlers and the often-injured Gabriel Vilardi have also been noteworthy contributors.
The game airs at 7PM Central on Bally Sports South and 102.5 The Game.
Statistics from naturalstattrick.com. Additional background from hockeyviz.com.